ncol

ncol is a command-line utility that reformats lines of text from standard input or a file. Its primary function is to arrange input lines into a specified number of columns. By default, ncol will determine the number of columns needed to fit the widest line into a terminal width of 80 characters. However, users can explicitly specify the desired number of columns using the -c option. For example, ncol -c 3 will attempt to arrange the input into three columns.

The tool reads input line by line and then distributes these lines into columns. If the input has more lines than can fit within the specified number of columns and terminal width, ncol will wrap the output to the next line of columns. The width of each column is determined by the longest line in the input, ensuring that all content is visible.

ncol is particularly useful for displaying lists or data that has been extracted from other commands in a more compact and readable format. It is a simple yet effective utility for manipulating text output on the command line. Its behavior can be influenced by the terminal width, making it adaptable to different display environments. The default behavior aims for readability within standard terminal dimensions.